Department of Numbers

Iowa Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Iowa rose 0.1 percentage points in May 2021 to 3.9%. The state unemployment rate was 1.9 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Iowa peaked in April 2020 at 11.1% and is now 7.2 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.6% in January 2021, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.3 percentage points. You can also see Iowa unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate May 2021 Month/Month Year/Year
National 5.8% -0.3 -7.5
Iowa 3.9% +0.1 -4.4

Note: All comparisons are made with May data as June state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Iowa, National

Iowa monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to May 2021

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Iowa Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Iowa peaked in April 2020 at 190,195. There are now 126,703 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 58,010 in January 2021, the number of unemployed has now grown by 5,482. Iowa job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons May 2021 Month/Month Year/Year
Iowa 63,492 +1,331 -74,288

Number of Unemployed Persons

Monthly chart of total unemployed in Iowa from 1990 to May 2021

Iowa Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate		 Iowa
Unemployment Rate		 Iowa
Unemployed
June 2021 5.9% — —
May 2021 5.8% 3.9% 63,492
April 2021 6.1% 3.8% 62,161
March 2021 6.0% 3.7% 60,818
February 2021 6.2% 3.7% 60,695
January 2021 6.3% 3.6% 58,010
December 2020 6.7% 3.7% 59,879
November 2020 6.7% 3.9% 64,160
October 2020 6.9% 4.2% 69,180
September 2020 7.8% 4.7% 76,059
August 2020 8.4% 5.3% 85,971
July 2020 10.2% 6.1% 99,646

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